Wireless information transfer and interactive television system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for controlling an interactive media system includes generating, by a first communication system, an information signal and a display signal for display by an electronic medium, transferring the information signal by a wireless signal transfer network, receiving and processing the information signal by a server, providing, by the server, data included in the information signal to a functional network, wherein the server retrieves return data from the functional network and provides the return data to a second communication system, generating, by the second communication system, a return information signal and providing the return information signal to the wireless signal transfer network, and transferring, by the wireless signal transfer network, the return information signal to the first communication system, which generates the display signal for display on the electronic medium.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 09/133,960, filed on Aug. 14, 1998, the disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to wireless information transferand interactive manipulation of such information using an electronicmedium and, more particularly, relates to sending and receivinginformation, e.g., messages, text, and graphics, via a wireless mediumand generating and/or viewing such information through a television.

2. Discussion of Related Art

It is known that a conventional television can receive informationsignals through a modem connected to a telephone line or audio/videosignals through a cable line. However, transmission of audio/videosignals is done in one direction and sending from the television is notpossible or, at least, known to be a problem. Also, sending of signalslong distance across a cable wire poses several problems due to, forexample, signal loss.

Recently, the literature, particularly U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,393 toRemillard, discloses an electronic device and method for accessingfacilities and displaying associated information on A conventionaltelevision sets. Information related to available facilities andprogramming are downloaded to electronic devices. However, allcommunications are through telephone lines or through cable. The signalswhich are transmitted across telephone lines have a bandwidth of around3-5 MHz. For cable transmission, especially for sending the signals fromthe users or viewer for pay-per view requests, frequencies are limitedto about 5 to 6 MHz per channel.

It would be highly advantageous to provide methods and apparatus forproviding wireless transfer of information and interactive capabilitythrough a conventional television for generating, editing and/or viewingsuch information, for example, information related to financial markets,banking applications or information related to emergency situations(e.g., V distress-calls). For instance, being able to receive, as wellas send, messages related to purchasing stocks would save time. Also, inan emergency situation, the ability to generate or receive a distressmessage via a persons' television set would save time and, as a result,likely save lives. The wireless transmission would advantageouslyprovide global long distance access of information. For clarity ofinformation, it would also be desirable that the wireless medium becapable of transmitting digital signals.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a methodfor controlling an interactive media system includes generating, by afirst communication system, an information signal and a display signalfor display by an electronic medium, transferring the information signalby a wireless signal transfer network from the first communicationsystem to a server, receiving and processing the information signal bythe server, providing, by the server, data included in the informationsignal to a functional network, wherein the server retrieves return datafrom the functional network in response to the data including in theinformation signal and provides the return data to a secondcommunication system, generating, by the second communication system, areturn information signal in response to the return data and providingthe return information signal to the wireless signal transfer network,and transferring, by the wireless signal transfer network, the returninformation signal to the first communication system, which generatesthe display signal for display on the electronic medium.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, awireless information signal transfer and interactive media systemincludes a first communication system, operatively coupled to anelectronic medium configured to display a signal, the firstcommunication system comprising a first transceiver unit and a firstdata processing unit for generating at least one information signal andfor generating at least one display signal for display on the electronicmedium, a wireless signal transfer network, operatively coupled to thefirst

communication system, for wirelessly transferring signals including theat least one information signal, a second communication systemoperatively coupled to the wireless transfer network, comprising asecond transceiver unit and a second data processing unit for receivingand processing the at least one information signal, and a server,operatively coupled to the second communication system, for receivingand processing the at least one information signal and providing dataincluded in the information signal to a functional network, wherein theserver retrieves return data from the functional network and providesthe return data to the second communication system, the secondcommunication system generating at least one return information signaland providing the at least one return information signal to the wirelesssignal transfer network, the wireless signal transfer network wirelesslytransferring the at least one return information signal to the firstcommunication system, which generates the at least one display signalfor display on the electronic medium.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a methodfor controlling an interactive media system includes generating, by afirst communication system operatively coupled to an electronic mediumconfigured to display a signal, at least one information signal, whereinthe first communication system comprises a first transceiver unit and afirst data processing unit, generating, by the first communicationsystem, at least one display signal for display by the electronicmedium, transferring signals, by a wireless signal transfer networkoperatively coupled to the first communication system, the signalsincluding the at least one information signal, receiving and processingthe at least one information signal by a server, operatively coupled toa second communication system, wherein the second communication systemis operatively coupled to the wireless transfer network and comprises asecond transceiver unit and a second data processing unit, providing, bythe server, data included in the information signal to a functionalnetwork, wherein the server retrieves return data from the functionalnetwork and provides the return data to the second communication system,generating, by the second communication system, at least one returninformation signal and providing the at least one return informationsignal to the wireless signal transfer network, and transferring, by thewireless signal transfer network, the at least one return informationsignal to the first communication system, which generates the at leastone display signal for display on the electronic medium.

As will be described in detail below, the present invention provideseasy access across long distances to remote locations without the use oftelephone lines or cables. Therein lies one of the advantages of thepresent invention, that is, being able to send and receive messages overlong distances within the country, as well as globally.

As described above, an important need exists for clear, long distancetransmission to and from a user in cooperation with interactivetelevision services. The present invention preferably satisfies this andother needs by the use of satellite transmission with an uplinksatellite frequency range of around 6-12 Ghz. In addition, the inventionpreferably takes full advantage of on-chip integrated circuit technologywhere CPU and memories and information processing circuitry are mountedon integrated circuitry inside the set-top box. Standard televisionmedium is used to display text, messages and graphics, etc.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become A apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals areused throughout the various figures to designate same or similarcomponents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless information transfer andinteractive television system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication unit according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a satellite transceiver according to oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A through 4D are exemplary views of user-interactive windowsgenerated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a wireless informationtransfer and interactive television system 100 according to the presentinvention is shown. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the system100 includes a television set 102. It is to be appreciated that thetelevision set 102 is a conventional television set capable of receivingdisplay signal(s) (including text, graphics, etc.) formed according tothe invention. It is to be further appreciated that the television setmay have an additional port for receiving the display signal; however,display of the signal is accomplished in a conventional manner, that is,in a known manner in which other display signals may be processed anddisplayed by the television set. Alternatively, the display signalformed according to the present invention may be combined (e.g.,superimposed) with a conventional television signal that the televisionset receives at its television signal port. In any case, processing anddisplay of the display signal of the invention on the television screenis accomplished in a conventional manner and, as such, is not furtherdiscussed herein.

The television set 102 is operatively coupled to a communication unit104. As will be explained in the context of FIG. 2, the communicationunit 104, preferably in the form of a set-top box unit, providesinformation and display signal generating, editing and displayingfunctions in cooperation with a remote keyboard device (214 in FIG. 2).The communication unit 104 is operatively coupled to a satellite network106. The satellite network 106 includes a plurality of satellitetransceivers, e.g., transceivers 106A, in communication with each othervia one or more satellites 106B. The satellite transceiver 106A will beexplained later in the context of FIG. 3. The satellite network itselfmay be a satellite communication network used for various commercialapplications or a dedicated satellite network. However, it should beunderstood that while the embodiment of the invention illustrated in thecontext of FIG. 1 includes satellite communication, other forms ofwireless communication may be employed by the invention.

Nonetheless, the communication unit 104 coupled to the users' televisionset 102 is operatively coupled to the satellite transceiver 106A. Thesatellite transceiver 106A is in communication with the remote satellitetransceiver 106A via the satellite 106B. Another

communication unit 104 (remote communication unit), identical to thecommunication unit coupled to the television set 102, is operativelycoupled to the remote satellite transceiver 106A and provides similarfunctions as the other communication unit. The remote communication unit104 is also operatively coupled to a network sever 110. It is to beunderstood that the network server is a digital computer capable ofcoordinating data requests and messages generated in accordance with theinvention. The server 110 is shown as being operatively coupled to awide area network 112 such as the Internet; however, the server 110 mayalternatively be coupled to a local area network.

It is to be understood that the specific functions of the server 110depend on the applications with which the system 100 of the inventionare employed. For instance, if a user of the system 100 is interested inretrieving financial data, the server 110 would receive such a requestas generated at the user station and then search the network to which itis connected for the requested information. In the case that the server110 is connected to the Internet, the user may, for example, direct aparticular request to a financial web site by selecting the appropriateweb address from a menu on his television screen. The server 110 usesthe Q address and the request and retrieves the information on theInternet. The server 110 then provides the information to the remotecommunication unit 104 for transmission through the satellite network106 back to the user station. Also, e-mail messages may be generated onthe television set and transferred to a mail server on the Internet.Also, return e-mail may be received in a similar manner. It is to beappreciated that the internal architecture of the server 110 is notcritical to the invention and, as such, the server 110 may be configuredas an appropriately programmed general purpose digital computer capableof operating as a server with a central processing unit (CPU) coupled toRAM, ROM, a mass storage memory E device, and input/output devices via acomputer bus. In addition, in a further embodiment, the server 110 ispreferably coupled to a paging system 114 which is in communication witha plurality of wireless pagers, such as pager 116. Still further, in yetanother embodiment, the server 110 is preferably coupled to an emergencyresponse network 118 (e.g., 911 operator) which, as mentioned, providesthe user with the ability to send a distress message to emergencypersonnel (e.g., police, tire, medical) in order to provide neededassistance to the user. It is to be appreciated that the server 110 ispreferably connected to each of the 1 various application-specificservice networks via conventional modems over telephone lines. As isknown, the Internet 112 is comprised of various functional servers withmodems with which the server 110 can communicate with using its owninternal modem. For example, in case of e-mail, the server 110communicates with a mail server on the Internet. Likewise, in the pagingsystem (114) embodiment and the emergency response network (118)embodiment, each system also has a server with a modem for communicatingwith the server 110.

Preferably, the communication unit 104 at the user station is in theform of a set-top box and is mounted on top of or next to the televisionset 102. As will be explained, the user generates signals which mayinclude, for example, messages, e-mail, graphics, video and ¤ audio atthe user station. The signals are provided to the satellite transceiver106A which transmits them across the satellite network, via thesatellite 106B, to the remote satellite

transceiver 106A which is tuned to the satellite 106B. Anothercommunication unit 104 connected to the remote satellite transceiver106A transmits the signals to the server 110 which in turn delivers themto the Internet 112, the pager 116, or the emergency response network118.

The process of transmitting info illation back to the user station fromthe Internet 112 or the pager 116 is as follows. The server 110 receivessuch information from the network 112 or A the pager 116 and providesthe information to the communication unit 104 connected thereto. Returninformation from the emergency response network 118 is also handled inthe same manner. The communication unit 104 generates the signal to betransmitted to the user and provides the signal to the satellitetransceiver 106A which transmits the information signal through thesatellite network 106 to the user station transceiver 106A. The signalreceived by the user station transceiver 106A is provided to thecommunication unit 104 connected thereto which then processes the signaland provides the information to the television set 102 for displaythereon to the user. As will be explained, other signals may betransmitted by the transceiver 106A or received for display by thetelevision set 102.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a communication unit 104 forproviding the interactive television functions of the invention isshown. The communication unit 104 includes a computer bus 202 foroperatively coupling a central processing unit (CPU) 204 with a massstorage device 205, an input/output (I/O) controller 208, a graphicscontroller 216, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 220. The CPU 204has its own RAM coupled thereto, i.e., SRAM 206. The mass storage deviceserves as a larger memory storage facility for the processes performedby the CPU 204. An audio detector 210, an infrared detector 212, and anLED indicator 213 are operatively coupled to the I/O controller 208. Aremote keyboard unit 214 is in wireless communication with the audio andinfrared detectors 210 and 212. The graphics controller 216 isoperatively coupled to its own RAM, i.e., VRAM 218. The DAC 220 ispreferably operatively coupled to a signal combiner 201 which isoperatively coupled to the transceiver 106A and to the television set102.

The CPU 204 controls the overall operations of the communication unit104. The CPU communicates with the I/O controller 208, the graphicscontroller 216 and the DAC 220 over 1 the computer bus 202. Operation ofthe communication unit 104 will now follow.

The remote keyboard 214 is used to invoke menu-driven windows 103 on thescreen of the television set 102 for the user to be able to generate andedit messages and view information received from the server 110. Themenu-driven windows 103 are generated from the display signals providedfrom the communication unit 104 to the television set 102. As mentioned,similar to any display signal presented independently to the televisionor combined (e.g., superimposed) on a standard television signal (viasignal combiner 221), the display signals (which may include, forexample, text and graphics) of the invention are processed and displayedby the television in a conventional manner, Also, the actual layout andcontent of the menu-driven windows are specific to the application withwhich the user is using the 1 system, e.g., e-mail, paging, financialmarket tracking or analysis, emergency message generation, etc. Examplesof menu-driven windows will be explained in the context of FIGS. 4Athrough 4D.

The remote keyboard 214 preferably includes a keyboard portion 214A anda speaker phone portion 214B. The keyboard portion 214A is similar to aconventional keyboard, that is, it preferably includes standardalphanumeric characters and function keys, e.g., similar to a standardQWERTY keyboard. Menus are activated using the keyboard and the messagesare typed in. For receipt of audio uttered by a user, there is a speakerphone portion 214B provided. As mentioned, a conventional trackball mayalso be included as part of the keyboard portion 214A. In such case, themovement of the trackball by the user corresponds to the movement of anon-screen cursor. The user can then click on icons in the menus in orderto control functions and make selections. Messages, control information,and audio are detected by the infrared detector and audio detector,respectively. The keyboard portion 214A includes an infrared transmitter215 for transmitting the keystrokes or movements performed by the useron the keyboard to the infrared detector 212. The infrared detector 212then provides the information to the I/O controller 208 which thenconverts the T information to digital form and sends the information tothe CPU 204 via bus 202. Any data manipulation and instruction fetchesare controlled by the CPU 204 in cooperation with an associated cachememory (SRAM 206). The instructions are passed to the graphic controller216 via bus 202 which essentially controls the generation of the displaysignals and display of the menu-driven windows 103 on the television set102. The VRAM 218 serves as a main memory of the graphic controller 216and is used to store the pixels of the menu-driven windows 103, as wellas colors, if needed. The output of the graphic controller 216 is thenconverted from a digital signal to an analog signal which is thensubsequently displayed on the television set 102.

As mentioned, the present invention also preferably includes audiocapability. The user utters messages, rather than typing them, and theuttered messages are picked up by the speaker phone portion 214B of theremote keyboard unit and transmitted to the audio detector 210 via RFtransmitter 217. The audio detector 210 provides the audio to the I/Ocontroller 208 which converts the signal into digital form and sends itto the CPU 204 via bus 202. The CPU 204 then sends the audio data to thegraphics controller 216 which generates text from the data and displaysthe text message in the appropriate places in the menu driven windows103 displayed on the television set 102.

When a signal is received from the satellite transceiver 106A, as willbe explained, the CPU 204 instructs the I/O controller 208 to illuminatethe LED indicator 213_to inform the user that requested and/or newinformation has been received.

Furthermore, the CPU 204 of the remote communication unit 104 isoperatively coupled to the server 110 (i.e., the CPU of the server 110).In this way, the CPU4204 transmits the users request or message,received on the satellite network, to the server so that the server 110may process the request or message and access the network 112, the pagersystem 114, or the emergency response network 118. Likewise, therequested information or a return message is provided to the CPU of theserver 110, which then passes it on to the CPU 204 of the remotecommunication unit 104. The CPU 204 then passes the information to thetransceiver 106A for transmission back to the user station.

It is to be appreciated that the remote communication unit 104,connected to the server 110, preferably includes identical components asthe communication unit at the user station so it can also be connectedto a television set to display menu-driven windows, if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a satellite transceiver 106Aaccording to the invention is shown. The satellite transceiver 106Aincludes a signal transmission portion and a signal reception portion.The signal transmission portion includes a PCM converter 222 1 and adelta encoder 224 operatively coupled to a multiplexer (MUX) 228. TheMUX 228 is operatively coupled to an encoder 230, which is operativelycoupled to a modulator 232. The modulator 232 is operatively coupled toan up-converter (U/C) 234, which is operatively coupled to a high poweramplifier (HPA) 236. The HPA 236 is operatively coupled to an orthocoupler 238, which is operatively coupled to an antenna 239.

The signal reception portion also includes the antenna 239 operativelycoupled to a low noise amplifier (LNA) 240. The LNA 240 is operativelycoupled to a down-converter (D/C) 242, which is operatively coupled to ademodulator 244. The demodulator 244 is operatively coupled to a decoder246, which is operatively coupled to a demultiplexer (DEMUX) 248. TheDEMUX 248 is operatively coupled to a PCM conversion unit 250 and adelta decoder 252. The antenna 239 is in communication with one or moresatellites 106B in the satellite network 106.

Further, the transmission portion of the transceiver 106A is operativelycoupled to the communication unit 104 via the CPU 204 of thecommunication unit and, as such, the CPU 204 provides data 226 to thetransmission portion for transmission to a remote station (e.g., sever110). Likewise, the CPU 204 is operatively coupled to the receptionportion of the 0 transceiver 106A and, as such, receives data 254 fromthe reception portion for processing and display on the television set102.

The operation of the transmission portion of the satellite transceiver106A will now be described. Data 226 is provided from the CPU 204 of thecommunication unit 104 to the transceiver 106A. This data is in digitalform and represents the information (e.g., request or message) which theuser wishes to be sent to the server 110. In addition, other externalanalog data signals may be passed through a baseband processor (notshown) which can digitize the signals, if necessary, and which cancombine the signal with any other inputs to form a digital stream.Alternatively, analog-to-digital conversion of such other externalsignals may be accomplished via a pulse code modulation (PCM) unit 222or a delta encoder 224.

If data is also provided by the PCM unit 222 and/or the delta encoder224, the MUX 228 multiplexes (i.e., selects) the signals from the PCMunit 222, and/or the delta encoder 224, and the data 226 from the CPU204. If only data 226 is present, then the data 226 is passed throughthe MUX 228. Nonetheless, the output of the MUX 228 is encoded by theencoder 230. The encoded digital signal is then modulated by themodulator 232. The modulator 232 transforms the signal to a suitableformat for transmission. The modulator output is normally centeredaround 70-140 MHZ. In a digital modulator, input bits are used tomodulate amplitude, frequency or phase of the carrier, eitherindividually or in combination. This determines the power and bandwidthefficiency of the modulation technique. The modulator output is thentranslated to a radio frequency (RF) output by up-converter (U/C) 234via linear translation. The output is amplified by high power amplifier(HPA) 236 depending on the power requirement in the uplink. Generally,these uplink frequencies are in the range of about 6-12 GHz. The antenna239 is connected to the HPA 236 via ortho coupler 238. The ortho coupler238 allows the simultaneous use of the antenna for transmission andreception of signals. The signal is then transmitted by the antenna 239to satellite 106B.

The operation of the reception portion of the satellite transceiver 106Awill now be described. The low noise amplifier (LNA) 240 receives awideband signal from the satellite_via the antenna 239 and the orthocoupler 238. The LNA 240 amplifies the wideband signal received from thesatellite. The low noise amplified signal is then down converted byfrequency down converter (D/C) 242. Corresponding downlinks forcommercial•communications are about 4 to 12 GHz. The signal is thendemodulated by demodulator 244 in a manner preferably complementary tothe modulation technique of modulator 232. The signal is then decoded bydecoder 246 in a manner preferably complementary to the encodingtechnique of encoder 230. The DEMUX then demultiplexes the signal, ifnecessary (i.e., if other signals are present with the informationsignal returned from the sever 110). The other signals may then beprovided to the PCM conversion unit 250 and/or to the delta decoder 252,which respectively perform digital-to-analog conversion of respectiveanalog signals received from the DEMUX 248. The analog signals are thenpreferably provided to the communication unit 104, where the combinerunit 221 combines the signals with the signal output from the DAC 220and then provides the combined signal to the television set 102.

Alternatively, the other signals may be provided directly to thetelevision set 102, while the output of the DAC 220 is separately inputto the television set 102, in which case, 1 the combiner 221 would notbe necessary. It is to be appreciated that such other signals may beseparate television signals received by the satellite network 106 fordisplay on the television set 102. As mentioned, regardless of whetherthere are any additional signals received by the transceiver 106A, theinformation signal is output from the DEMUX 248 as data 254 and nprovided to the CPU 204 of the communication unit 104. In thecommunication unit 104, the digital signal is then processed by the CPU204 and stored in the hard disk 205 or SRAM 206. Once the signal isreceived the LED indicator 213 on the communication unit illuminates.The CPU 204 then provides the appropriate information to the graphicscontroller 216 which, in response, generates the appropriate displaysignals. The user then views the received messages and/or information onthe screen of the television set 102 in cooperation with the remotekeyboard unit 214 and the application-specific menu-driven functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4D, some examples ofapplication-specific menu-driven windows are illustrated. As mentioned,these windows are generated on the television set 102 in response to thedisplay signals generated by the communication unit 104. The user usesthe remote keyboard 214 to activate desired windows, enter data, andmake selections. When a user is presented with options on the user menu(FIG. 4A), each of the options open up into a sub-menu containinginformation and selection options specific to the subject matter of thatsub-menu. The selections and data entered by the user in accordance withthe sub-menu are processed by the CPU 204 which creates the informationsignal(s) to go to the server 110 for further execution. For example, inthe menu window shown in FIG. 4A, when a user clicks on the icon“E-MAIL”, the window shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the television set102. In this window, the user may enter e-mail related information suchas the e-mail address to which the e-mail is to be sent, any additionale-mail addresses to be copied, and the text of the e-mail message. Basedon the information that the user fills out, a message string such as:“e-mail suchi at xyz.com. This is a test.” is created by the CPU 204 ofthe communication unit 104 and sent to the server 110 as an informationsignal. The server 110 executes the e-mail function. That is, the server110 connects to a mail server facility (e.g., via respective internalmodems therein over a telephone line) and forwards the e-mail message inaccordance with the mail server to the Internet 12 according to thee-mail address specified in the message string. Of course, return e-mailmessages, when received, are displayed in this window.

Similarly, if the user clicks on the “PAGER” icon in the user menu (FIG.4A), then the paging sub-menu, shown in FIG. 4C, is displayed on thetelevision set 102. The user then enters a pager identification number(PIN) of the person to be paged, the paging company or service to beused, and the message. From this information, the CPU 204 generates astring such as: “page 01234567 xyz company Bring home milk.” The stringis sent to the server 110 which contacts (dials) the paging companyserver (via respective internal modems over a telephone line) andsubmits the PIN and message to the paging system. The paging server thensends out a page signal via its own wireless network (e.g., satellitenetwork) to the intended recipient. If the recipient responds from theirpager back to the paging system, the paging server dials server 110 anddispatches the return message. The return message is sent back to theuser station for display on the television set in this window. Thus, twoway messaging is accomplished.

Still further, when the user clicks on the “FINANCIAL INFO” icon in theuser menu (FIG. 4A), a financial information window, as shown in FIG.4D, is displayed on the television set 102. The window shown in FIG. 4Dis a stock transaction window. However, similar windows for otherfinancial market transactions may be generated according to theinvention (e.g., mutual funds, banking, etc.). The window provides the 1user with information pertaining to stocks and provides the user withthe ability to perform transactions, such as selecting a broker, andbuying or selling a particular stock. Similar to the above examples, amessage string is generated and sent to server 110 which then connectswith the appropriate financial web site to provide two-waycommunication. Return information may also be displayed to the user inthis window.

It is to be appreciated that given the above examples, one of ordinaryskill in the art will contemplate examples of distress message windowsdisplayable upon clicking on the “DISTRESS MESSAGE” icon in the usermenu of FIG. 4A. Also, in one embodiment of the invention, rather thandisplay any particular window, the CPU 204 generates a predetermineddistress message when the user clicks on the “DISTRESS MESSAGE” icon.For example, the message could be a general call to 911 for emergencyservice. As explained, the request signal is transmitted to the server110 which dials the 911 service (i.e., emergency response network 118).Also, return messages or inquiries could be sent Aback to the userstation, in which case an appropriate message window would be displayedn on the television set allowing the user to read the return messageand, if necessary, respond thereto.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with Q reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beaffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling an interactive mediasystem comprising: generating, by a first communication unit, aninformation signal and a display signal for display by a television set,wherein the first communication unit comprises a first transceiver unitand a first data processing unit for generating at least one informationsignal and for generating at least one display signal for display on thetelevision set; transferring the information signal by a satellitenetwork from the first communication unit to a second communication unitthat is connected to a server, the second communication unit beingsubstantially identical to the first communication unit; transferringthe information signal from the second communication unit to the server;receiving and processing the information signal by the server;providing, by the server, data included in the information signal overthe Internet, wherein the server retrieves return data from the Internetin response to the data including in the information signal and providesthe return data to the second communication unit; generating, by thesecond communication unit, a return information signal based on thereturn data and providing the return information signal to the satellitenetwork; and transferring, by the satellite network, the returninformation signal to the first communication unit, which generates thedisplay signal for display on the television set, wherein the first dataprocessing unit comprises: processing means; input controlling means,operatively coupled to the processing means and a remote data entry andcontrol means, for receiving data and control information from theremote data entry and control means and providing said data and saidcontrol information to the processing means; and display signalgenerating means, operatively coupled to the processing means, forgenerating the at least one display signal for display on the televisionset, in response to the return information signal received by theprocessing means and the data and the control information from theremote data entry and control means.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising controlling, by the control means, the display of the atleast one display signal on the television set.
 3. The method of claim1, further comprising indicating, by the first data processing unit,that the return information signal has been received.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising generating at least one menu-driven windowon the television set according to the display signal generated by thefirst data processing unit.
 5. A wireless information signal transferand interactive media system comprises: a first communication unit,operatively coupled to a television set displaying a signal, the firstcommunication unit comprising a first transceiver unit and a first dataprocessing unit for generating at least one information signal and forgenerating at least one display signal for display on the televisionset; a satellite signal transfer network, operatively coupled to thefirst communication unit, for wirelessly transferring signals includingthe at least one information signal; a second communication unit,operatively coupled to the satellite signal transfer network, comprisinga second transceiver unit and a second data processing unit forreceiving and processing the at least one information signal, the secondcommunication unit being substantially identical to the firstcommunication unit; a server, operatively coupled to the secondcommunication unit, for receiving and processing the at least oneinformation signal and providing data included in the information signalover the Internet, wherein the server retrieves return data from theInternet in response to the data including in the information signal andprovides the return data to the second communication unit, the secondcommunication unit generating at least one return information signalbased on the return data and providing the at least one returninformation signal to the satellite signal transfer network, thesatellite signal transfer network wirelessly transferring the at leastone return information signal to the first communication unit, whichgenerates the at least one display signal for display on the televisionset; and a remote data entry and control means, wirelessly coupled tothe first data processing unit, for permitting a system user to controldisplay of display signals on the television set and enter datacorresponding to the display of the display signals, wherein the firstdata processing unit comprises: processing means; input controllingmeans, operatively coupled to the processing means and the remote dataentry and control means, for receiving data and control information fromthe remote data entry and control means and providing said data and saidcontrol information to the processing means; and display signalgenerating means, operatively coupled to the processing means, forgenerating the at least one display signal for display on the televisionset, in response to the at least one return information signal receivedby the processing means and the data and the control information fromthe remote data entry and control means.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the satellite signal transfer network includes at least onesatellite for transferring signals between the first and secondtransceiver units.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the first dataprocessing unit comprises indication means for indicating that the atleast one return information signal has been received.
 8. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one display signal generated by the firstdata processing unit includes data to generate at least one menu-drivenwindow on the television set.
 9. A method for controlling an interactivemedia system comprising: generating, by a first communication unitoperatively coupled to a television set displaying a signal, at leastone information signal, wherein the first communication unit comprises afirst transceiver unit and a first data processing unit; generating, bythe first communication unit, at least one display signal for display bythe television set; transferring signals from the first communicationunit to a second communication unit, by a satellite signal transfernetwork operatively coupled to the first communication unit, the signalsincluding the at least one information signal; receiving, by the secondcommunication unit, the signals via the satellite transfer network;receiving and processing the at least one information signal by aserver, operatively coupled to the second communication unit that issubstantially identical to the first communication unit, wherein thesecond communication unit is operatively coupled to the satellite signaltransfer network and comprises a second transceiver unit and a seconddata processing unit; providing, by the server, data included in the atleast one information signal over the Internet, wherein the serverretrieves return data from the Internet in response to the data includedin the information signal and provides the return data to the secondcommunication unit; generating, by the second communication unit, atleast one return information signal based on the return data andproviding the at least one return information signal to the satellitesignal transfer network; and transferring, by the satellite signaltransfer network, the at least one return information signal to thefirst communication unit, which generates the at least one displaysignal for display on the television set, wherein the first dataprocessing unit comprises: processing means; input controlling means,operatively coupled to the processing means and a remote data entry andcontrol means, for receiving data and control information from theremote data entry and control means and providing said remote data entryand control information to the processing means; and display signalgenerating means, operatively coupled to the processing means, forgenerating the at least one display signal for display on the televisionset, in response to the at least one return information signal receivedby the processing means and the data and control information from theremote data entry and control means.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising controlling, by the control means, the display of the atleast one display signal on the television set.
 11. The method of claim9, further comprising indicating, by the first data processing unit,that the at least one return information signal has been received. 12.The method of claim 9, further comprising generating at least onemenu-driven window on the television set according to the at least onedisplay signal generated by the first data processing unit.